By Femi Bolaji, Jalingo

The Catholic Bishop of Jalingo Diocese, The Most Rev. Charles Hammawa has said the security challenge facing the country is enormous and requires all hands to be on deck.

Bishop Hammawa gave the charge, Saturday while delivering a homily during the graduation of 25 Catechists at the Catholic Catechetical training institute in Jimlari, a suburb of Jalingo, Taraba state.

He explained that the raging security threat has also affected the church, stressing that some religious houses have been destroyed and not suitable for worship.

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The Bishop who was optimistic that there is hope for the nation charged public office holders to match words with action.

He explained that the raging security threat has also affected the church, stressing that some religious houses have been destroyed and not suitable for worship.

According to him, “the world has never been without challenges, but the challenges facing Nigeria now are enormous.

” The growing insecurity in Nigeria is worrisome and needs to be urgently addressed.

“This situation calls for action. We need to tell ourselves the truth to be able to defeat the forces of evil that are working against the peace and security of Nigeria,” he said.

The Bishop also encouraged the graduands to be objective and fearless in discharging their duties for the good of the Church and the society.

In his remarks, the Director of the institute, Rev. Fr. Simon Akuraga, posited that leadership deficit was one of the greatest forces holding the nation back.

He noted that there are numerous ungoverned spaces across the country that needs to be taken back from the grip of outlaws.

“Talking about leadership deficit in Nigeria, how would you explain a situation where people are displaced from their ancestral lands for over two years and those who have the constitutional and primary duties to protect lives and property are nonchalant?

“As I speak, some citizens have completely lost hope in their elected leaders and are seeking justice in courts.

“As a church, we have a responsibility to give such people hope,” he said.

Rev. Fr. Akuraga also thanked the Bishop for his constant support to the institute which according to him has become a leadership grooming institute.

Vanguard News Nigeria